This question originally appeared on reddit/headphones. I’m re-posting a longer response below, as the discussion commonly arises. “Is an external power supply . . . an inherently easier design?” Designing a sufficiently low noise supply from a USB +5V rail is economical and easy. Most manufacturers build entry-level DACs with this approach, relying on 3.3V […]
How to Connect a DAC to Powered Speakers, Xbox One, or PS4
Your DAC came with a basic setup guide and manual, but we regularly hear from owners with uncertainty. So we decided to sit down and play “Will it connect?” with some of our gear and share practical examples. For help connecting a DAC to your phone or tablet, please see How to Connect Android, iPad, or […]
Element vs Objective2
Recent discussions reminded me that misconceptions also surround Element, such as: ‘Element is an O2+ODAC in a nicer box / Element has an ODAC inside’ False: While both are designed for transparency, performance and features differ: 1.5W vs 0.6W output power is substantial. ‘Element clips’ False: Of course not! Like any good design, gain is […]
ODAC vs OL DAC
“Hey, I was just wondering what the major differences were between the ODAC and the OL DAC.” This fine question continues to pop up in emails, on the phone, on reddit, on Head-Fi, etc. I was excited to push OL DAC into the wild last November for a number of reasons. I’ve always placed great […]
OL DAC: The People’s Filter
Understanding some customers’ want for customization, we placed an Easter egg in OL DAC for you to filter the sound however you see fit! If you wish to experiment with the sound signature of your OL DAC, we left pads for a 3-position DIP switch on the PCBs, Omron Part# A6SN-3104. Ask for it when […]
Announcing EL DAC, EL Amp, OL DAC, and OL Switcher by JDS Labs
Today’s announcement of the Element Line and Objective Line makes most sense when viewed alongside our mission: JDS Labs enables exceptional listening experiences, with underlying objectivity in our designs and transparency in our interactions. JDS Labs is strongly associated with audio measurements these days–perhaps to an excessive degree. Still, the subjective experience certainly matters. Each […]
Power is Volume
Announcement of The Element has reminded us that output power is widely misunderstood. Most confusion can be resolved by understanding that Volume sets Power. In the world of audio, Power is the amount of energy that an amplifier can deliver into a specific load (ohms), at a specific frequency (Hz), for a specific duration (seconds), with […]
Introducing The Element by JDS Labs
JDS Labs has worked tirelessly to share this day with fellow headphone enthusiasts. We are proud to introduce The Element: We designed The Element to enjoy our headphones without compromise. Its amplifier renders shocking power, driven by an ultra clean DAC, all housed in a precision machined chassis with a comfortable knob. The Element beautifully drives […]
Releasing ODAC RevB
Today we’re announcing a chipset update to ODAC. Revision B improves general reliability, while meeting or exceeding the original performance criteria set forth by NwAvGuy. This announcement will come as a surprise to many, considering ODAC was declared as the be-all and end-all of DAC transparency by a now absent engineer. This article explains who owns the ODAC design, why […]
Custom Engraving Examples
Custom engraving is free with any new JDS Labs amplifier or DAC ordered through jdslabs.com. It’s a fun process, both for us, and for you. When you click the “Engrave” button during checkout, our production staff receives and pastes your custom text or image into Adobe Illustrator, then prints to one of our two laser engraving machines. Here’s our […]